Elven Rebirth

Chapter 24. A family never had

Outside the airport, a wall of imposing bodyguards emerged, their authoritative presence commanding attention. Eight men, each towering and broad-shouldered, formed a protective circle around two figures. Ethan's eyebrows arched, intrigued.

"Mr. Adam," one bodyguard announced, his deep voice echoing through the air.

The guards parted, revealing Roosevelt Francis, a dignified older man with snow-white hair and a well-groomed beard, and a middle-aged man beside him. Both wore tailored attire that exuded wealth and sophistication.

Roosevelt's piercing gaze locked onto Adam as he approached. His eyes sparkled with a hint of reverence.

"Ah, Mr. Adam," Roosevelt said, his voice low and gravelly. "I am Roosevelt Francis, chief butler to the esteemed Hamilton family."

Adam's expression remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

Roosevelt surprised Adam by bowing deeply. "It's an honor to finally meet you, sir. I've been sent to escort you to Imperium City."

Adam gaze snapped into sharp focus, his interest piqued.

"What business do the Hamilton have with me?" Adam asked, his tone measured.

Roosevelt straightened, his expression solemn. "The family patriarch, Mr. Fitzgerald Hamilton, requests your presence. The matter is of utmost importance."

The middle-aged man stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Adam's eyes blazed with contempt. "The Hamilton? Taking me back to Imperium? You've got to be kidding me!"

Roosevelt's expression remained calm, but Adam's words struck a nerve.

"Twenty years ago, your family threw me and my mother out like trash," Adam spat, his voice laced with venom. "You said I was unworthy of being a Hamilton. You warned us never to set foot in Imperium City again, or we'd face the consequences."

Adam's gaze pierced Roosevelt's. "So, where in Imperium are you taking me? Or has the entire Hamilton family dropped dead?"

Roosevelt's silence was palpable. Adam's words cut deep, echoing the pain and betrayal of the past.

"You know it's true," Adam pressed on, his anger boiling over. "Your family abandoned us. Left us to fend for ourselves."

Roosevelt's eyes flickered, a hint of guilt and regret.

"Adam, please understand—"

"No, you understand," Adam interrupted, his voice cold. "I don't want anything to do with the Hamiltons. They mean nothing to me."

Roosevelt's expression turned resolute. "That may be, Adam. But Mr. Fitzgerald Hamilton wants to see you. It's time to put the past aside."

Adam's laughter was icy. "The past? You think I can just forget?"

There was tension in the air as Roosevelt met Adam's defiant eyes.

Adam exhaled heavily, his patience wearing thin. "Look, Roosevelt, Old Mr. Hamilton wants to reconnect, fine. But I'm not buying it."

Roosevelt's expression turned solemn. "Adam, you're an Hamilton by blood. Mr. Hamilton wants to make amends."

Adam's voice remained firm. "My last name is Hill, not Hamilton. I don't want anything to do with your family." He turned to leave, but Roosevelt swiftly blocked his path.

"Wait, Mr. Adam!" Roosevelt urged, his eyes pleading.

The middle-aged man handed Roosevelt a sleek briefcase, secured with a PIN lock. Roosevelt presented the briefcase to Adam with both hands, his movements respectful.

"This contains information and the equity transfer letter for the Hill Group, your mother's legacy. It's time for you to take control."

Adam's gaze narrowed. "What game are you playing?"

Roosevelt's voice took on a hint of desperation. "Consider it compensation from the Hamiltons. A chance to make things right."

"Compensation?" Adam smiled mirthlessly.

"The Hill Group belongs to my mother in the first place. The Hamilton forcefully snatched it away from her and encroached on it. Even if you didn't return it, I'd snatch it back on my own!" Adam paused a bit as he stared deep at Roosevelt's eyes, then continued.

"You snatched someone else's asset, and now you're acting like you're giving it to me out of kindness. Are you still expecting me to be grateful too? How thick-skinned! Let me warn you, don't treat me like a fool, and don't provoke me ever again. Or else I'll tear your family apart!" Adam pushed the bodyguards away and left with the briefcase.

Staring at his taut back, Roosevelt shook his head and sighed. "Ah, he's still as hot-tempered as ever."

As the chief butler of the Hamilton family, Roosevelt Francis was well aware that the Hamilton had indeed gone overboard back then. However, the situation in Imperium City now was unfavorable, and he had no choice but to think of a way to repair the relationship between Adam and the Hamiltons.

*

Adam was sitting in the backseat of a taxi with a sullen expression. Roosevelt's appearance reminded him of the past that he didn't want to remember.

Back then, he was called a bastard and an illegitimate child at a tender age, and got chased out of his home together with his mother, whose assets and valuables were all seized. He had a high, persistent fever at the time. And while holding him in her arms, his mother knelt by the Hamilton's doorstep and pleaded for help, only to hear them say coldly, "We don't care about the lives of those who are not one of the Hamiltons."

Afterward, his mother moved around and brought him to Starium City, where she worked hard to make ends meet. Although Iife was tough, she managed to raise him to adulthood. However, his mother developed an illness and collapsed after years of toiling and living a strenuous life.

At that time, Adam had just graduated from college, and his meager wage was a drop in the bucket compared to the hefty medical bills. He swallowed his pride and tried to seek help from the Hamiltons, only to receive a heartless rejection and harsh mockery and criticism, which made him feel hopeless and resentful toward the Hamiltons.

Shortly after, he and Evelyn were kidnapped and drugged, thus resulting in the scandal that spread like wildfire in the entire county.

The Kents requested that he marry into their family. He agreed on the condition that the Kents would lend him five hundred thousand dollars for his mother's treatment. However, by the time he rushed to the hospital with the money, his mother had already passed away.

At that time, Adam was devastated and felt like a complete failure in life. He failed to save his mother and wasn't worthy of an outstanding girl like Evelyn either.

To make matters worse, the Kents often mocked him in the past. Adam decided to leave the Kents and join the military. He swore to make a name for himself so that he could stand proudly beside Evelyn. Now, he had returned.

*

Adam stepped out of the cab and onto the Kent's estate grounds. As he approached the grand mansion, laughter and voices drifted from within. Just as he raised his hand to knock, a boisterous chuckle echoed through the door.

"Young Master Walter, we can discuss the details now. Let's set a date," Chalice's voice rang out. Adam's eyes widened in shock. Chalice, Evelyn's mother, was talking to someone?

A stranger's voice replied, "Thank you, Madame Chalice. I'm honored."

Chalice's warm tone continued, "Please, call me Chalice. We'll be family soon. You're perfect for Evelyn."

Adam's mind reeled. What was happening?

Walter's voice hesitated, "But, Madame Chalice, I heard she's already..."

Chalice cut him off sharply, "That good-for-nothing? Forget him! He's been gone six years. The law says missing persons can be declared dead after four. He's probably dead in some ditch."

Adam's grip on the door handle tightened. What were they discussing? Chalice's voice dripped with malice.

"If you're worried, we'll get a court certificate. No one will bother you."

The voices fell silent, awaiting Walter's response. Adam's thoughts swirled. Evelyn was already married? And who was this Walter?

With a deep breath, Adam knocked on the door, his presence about to shatter the scene unfolding inside.